Akane Tendo, age 16, passionate martial artist who has trained all her life, is certain she swings straight as her kicks, despite boys getting on her nerves in record time.Ranma Saotome, also age 16, a natural fighting savant with a nomad childhood, aims to become a man's man, at least some of the time. Their first meeting couldn't have been under worse circumstances: not only did Ranma's recent mainland training trip leave him stuck with the unbearable curse of turning into a girl when splashed with water, but their dads have volunteered them for an arranged marriage to strengthen the union of their martial schools! Obviously, they're in agreement: the betrothal, they could do without. As for the curse... What? No! No way either of them would find it nice!And what's with Ranma's psyche anyway? Always at odds with itself, like two brain cells fighting for control! Akane can forget her own worries, she wants to figure this out first! This fanfic is beginner-friendly, which means knowledge of the original series is not necessary -- all of the important beats are repeated and reinterpreted. Cover art by DoodlerBee